Iran criticises Australia's treatment of asylum seekers

Mohammed Javad Zarif wrapped up his historic tour of the Pacific and south-east Asia in Canberra on Wednesday, saying constant criticisms of Iran's human rights record failed to recognise Iran's own concerns about other countries.

In an extended interview with the ABC's Latelineprogram, Dr Zarif targeted Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, hundreds of whom languish in detention on offshore detention camps.

So too though is Iran's human rights record. In its 2015 report on the country, HRW condemned Iran's use of the death penalty, restrictions on free speech and dissent, and discrimination against women, among other issues.

Dr Zarif played down concerns about Iran's human rights record in the interview, saying the country was one of the few in the region to have elections and a human rights rapporteur.

He urged his counterparts to engage in a dialogue with Iran instead of preaching one-way monologues.